The NSTA Learning Center:A Tool to Develop

Preservice Teachers

Al Byers, Ph.D.Greg Sherman, Ph.D.Bambi L. Bailey, Ph.D.

Michael R.L. Odell, Ph.D.

Session Overview

• Use of existing free NLC resources in preserviceteaching

• Use of all e-PD resources with administrative reports and assessments

• Demonstration of How to Use the Learning Center for your preserviceteachers

• Overview of thee-PD system and need to address scale and sustainability. Research Efficacy Studies

TheNSTA

Learning Center

Research Supporting

Effectiveness

RadfordUniversity

Case Review

University of Texas Case

Review

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Jan. 2011 Collection: 6,000+ PD Resources and Opportunities Available

http://learningcenter.nsta.org

SciGuides [36]Science Objects [80]SciPacks [21]Archived Seminars/Podcast [350+]

Journal Articles [3,600+]NSTA Press Books [252+]e-Books [136+]e-Chapters [784+]

Symposia [6-10/year] PD Institutes [6-10/year]

Web Seminars [120/yr]Short Courses [50+/year]

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Research and Dissemination: 3 Studies• Quasi-experimental Design Study: Across 3 districts

finding significant gains in teacher content knowledge using single SciPack. (2008). n=45, teachers in grades 5-8, three district evaluation study

• Experimental Design Study: Pretest-posttest delayed-treatment/control group design with random assignment finds significant gains in teacher content knowledge, teacher self-efficacy, and students’ learning for grades5-8 in treatment group across two SciPacks. (2010)n = 56, large Midwestern district, teachers in grades 5-8

• Descriptive Study: Just completed (dissertation research) finds significant gains in teacher learning for pre-posttest and pretest-final assessment. (2010). n = 85, teachers grades 3-6 from 11 different states.

How to Set Up Your Classes

• Use of existing free NLC resources in preserviceteaching

• Use of all e-PD resources with administrative reports and assessments

• Demonstration of How to Use the Learning Center for your preserviceteachers

• Overview of thee-PD system and need to address scale and sustainability. Research Efficacy Studies

TheNSTA

Learning Center

Research Supporting

Effectiveness

RadfordUniversity

Case Review

University of Texas Case

Review

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Completed Customized Entry Page for your students include your selectede-learning resources and collections

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Welcome Overview

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PDF STUDENT HANDOUT

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Radford University Case Review

• Use of existing free NLC resources in preserviceteaching

• Use of all e-PD resources with administrative reports and assessments

• Demonstration of How to Use the Learning Center for your preserviceteachers

• Overview of thee-PD system and need to address scale and sustainability. Research Efficacy Studies

TheNSTA

Learning Center

Research Supporting

Effectiveness

RadfordUniversity

Case Review

University of Texas Case

Review

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Radford University Case Review

RU: ~500 Elementary Education, ~60 Middle School, ~15 Secondary ScienceOne Natural Science, One Physical Science requiredEDUC 310: Teaching & Learning Elementary ScienceNCATE (Require evidence of science content knowledge)

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Radford University Case Review

PD Indexer to identify content weaknesses & recommend resourcesMy Library to organize resourcesPD Plan & Portfolio Tool to map science object & other resource interventions

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Radford University Case Review

NeedsPre-populated library of resourcesAccess to SciPacks & SciGuides(self-directed, interactive web-based Learning Center courses)System for managing, tracking & reporting content acquisition progress

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University of Texas Tyler Case Review

• Use of existing free NLC resources in preserviceteaching

• Use of all e-PD resources with administrative reports and assessments

• Demonstration of How to Use the Learning Center for your preserviceteachers

• Overview of thee-PD system and need to address scale and sustainability. Research Efficacy Studies

TheNSTA

Learning Center

Research Supporting

Effectiveness

RadfordUniversity

Case Review

University of Texas Case

Review

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University of Texas Tyler

Case Study

Setting: East TexasUniversity of Texas at Tyler

6000 studentsVariable enrollment in STEM Methods Courses3 Campuses: (Tyler, Longview, Palestine).

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University of Texas Tyler

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ProblemEach year classes in STEM Education were being cancelled due to not meeting the minimum enrollment numbers required by the university

Professors are required to provide independent studies so students can graduate on scheduleStudents did not evaluate the independent studies as effective means of instruction

How do we provide a quality independent study experience for students?How do we provide quality instructional tools to all of our STEM education students?

Needed a solution for low enrollment classes

Current Solution is an Independent Study

UT-TylerMinimum Student Enrollment

10 per Undergraduate Course

Preservice Numbers120 Elementary

Satellite CampusesLongview, TXPalestine, TX

5-20 Secondary** Pre-UTeach

Needed a solution to support student teachers and beginning teachers

Traditional CertificationAlternative Certification

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University of Texas Tyler

NSTA Learning CenterProvided StructurePre- and Post- Assessment ToolsRemediation Tools

SciPacksInstructional Tools

Science ObjectSciGuidesPD-Planning and Portfolio ToolResourcesUpload capability

Accountability

BenefitsReplaced my textAllowed me to tailor experience for each student

Biology vs. Chemistry, etcImproved Independent StudiesSupport for preservice teachers and new teachersOne year subscription

MethodsStudent TeachingInduction/Mentoring Tool

Teaching (alt-cert)

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University of Texas Tyler

Created Customized Collections for“Course Library”

Elementary CollectionMiddle School CollectionHigh School Collection

Physical ScienceEarth ScienceLife Science

Articles, activities, science objects, etc.

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University of Texas Tyler

Independent Study OutlinePre-assessments

Content IndexerIdentifies SciPacks

PST’s complete the PD Plan and utilize the portfolioPST’s upload their work and samples of student workPST’s develop their own collections for use in student teaching (Aligned to TEKS)Download transcripts and certificates of complete

Best Part: If students have issues with the system or content questions they can “Ask NSTA”

Student Teachers and Alt-Cert Teachers

Have access to their NSTA Learning Center from previous semesterWe plan to pilot the new discussion tool to better support student teachers and new teachersBecomes a Toolkit

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University of Texas Tyler

Administration ToolTrack AccessPre-Post AssessmentsIndividual Results and downloadsAccess to PortfolioSciPacks Completed

Allows me to track my students while creating a unique experience

Result: Less complaints about Independent Studies to the DepartmentIncreased SET Scores

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University of Texas Tyler

Questions

• Use of existing free NLC resources in preserviceteaching

• Use of all e-PD resources with administrative reports and assessments

• Demonstration of How to Use the Learning Center for your preserviceteachers

• Overview of thee-PD system and need to address scale and sustainability. Research Efficacy Studies

TheNSTA

Learning Center

Research Supporting

Effectiveness

RadfordUniversity

Case Review

University of Texas Case

Review

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Recognize our Collaborators

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Thank YouAl ByersPH: 703-312-9294Email: abyers@nsta.orgGreg ShermanPH: (540) 831-6859Email: gsherman2@radford.eduMichael OdellPH: (903) 566-7471Email: Michael_Odell@uttyler.eduBambi BaileyPH: (903) 565-5937Email: bbailey@uttyler.edu

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